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2019 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS DELIVER BEST OPENING NIGHT OVERNIGHT RATING IN THREE YEARS ACROSS NBC SPORTS PLATFORMS

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Penguins-Islanders Ties for Best Opening Night Game in Five Years

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 11, 2019 – NBC Sports’ four-game coverage of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs last night delivered the best overnight rating for an Opening Night in three years, according to Nielsen. The four games presented across NBCSN, USA Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app combined for a 0.39 overnight rating, the best for an Opening Night since 2016 (0.47) and up 3% vs. 2018 (0.38 for three games).

Game 1 of the Penguins-Islanders series on NBCSN, won 4-3 by New York in overtime, produced a 0.52 overnight rating, tying Rangers-Penguins in 2016 for the best Opening Night overnight rating in five years (2014, Blue Jackets-Penguins, 0.56) and up 13% vs. the comparable game in 2018 (Flyers-Penguins, 0.46).

The Blue Jackets come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Lightning on USA Network delivered a 0.43 overnight rating, up 95% vs. Wild-Jets on CNBC in 2018 (0.22). Stars-Predators produced a 0.31 overnight rating on USA Network for Dallas’ 3-2 win, up 11% vs. Sharks-Ducks in 2018 (0.28). The Sharks’ three-goal win (5-2) over the Golden Knights on NBCSN produced a 0.28 overnight. Blues-Jets aired on NHL Network, which is not rated.

All First Round games televised on NBC Sports’ cable platforms are also televised side-by-side with regional sports networks in the local markets. NBC Sports begins exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Second Round.

Last night’s Opening Night ratings increases follow a regular season that delivered viewership increases across all NBC Sports platforms. Combined viewership of the 2018-19 NHL regular season across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – which included a record 112 games as well as a record number of doubleheaders and games featuring Canadian and Western Conference teams –averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 424,000 viewers, up 2% vs. the 2017-18 regular-season (105 games, 417,000).

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

NBC SPORTS’ 2018-19 NHL REGULAR-SEASON COVERAGE DELIVERS VIEWERSHIP INCREASES ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS

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Regular-Season Viewership Across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com and NBC Sports App Averages Total Audience Delivery of 424,000 for Record 112 Games, Up 2% vs. Last Season

NHL Streaming Records Set for Live Minutes and Average Minute Audience

7 NHL Markets Set Local Records on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 8, 2019 – NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2018-19 NHL regular season – which included a record 112 games as well as a record number of doubleheaders and games featuring Canadian and Western Conference teams – delivered viewership increases across all platforms, according to Nielsen. Combined viewership across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 424,000 viewers, up 2% vs. the 2017-18 regular-season (105 games, 417,000).

“This was our most diverse schedule yet, with a record number of doubleheaders featuring Western Conference teams and more Canadian teams in primetime than ever before,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer & President, Production, NBC Sports and NBCSN. “Our goal was to celebrate the league’s expanding fan base and to showcase its exciting young stars. Frankly, we weren’t sure what the response would be, but we were committed to the league’s long-term benefit. So to have a viewership increase in year one is a huge win. And now we’re on to the greatest tournament in sports…the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

Following are highlights:

NBC

Punctuated by the NHL Winter Classic and Stadium Series, NHL regular season coverage on NBC averaged a TAD of 1.316 million viewers across 12 games, up +2% from 2017-18 (12 games, 1.289 million).

The 2019 NHL Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, on Jan. 1 averaged a TAD of 2.972 million viewers, making it the most-watched Winter Classic in four years and up 20% vs. the 2018 game (2.482 million).

The overtime Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., in primetime on Feb. 23 averaged a TAD of 1.969 million viewers, up 76% vs. the comparable game in 2018 (1.117 million) and making it the most-watched non-Winter Classic regular-season game in five years.

The 2019 NHL All-Star Game from San Jose on Jan. 26 averaged a TAD of 1.087 million viewers, making it the third-most watched NHL All-Star Game in 15 years.

NBCSN

Across 100 games, the NHL regular season on NBCSN averaged a TAD of 313,000 viewers, up +4% vs. the 2017-18 regular season (93 games, 302,000). NBCSN’s coverage was highlighted by its Sunday night exclusive games, which averaged a TAD of 491,000, up +12% from last year (437,000).

The Boston Bruins-Pittsburgh Penguins game on March 10 averaged a TAD of 736,000 viewers, making it NBCSN’s most-watched NHL game since the season opener of the 2017-18 season (St. Louis-Pittsburgh, 905,000). It is also the most-watched Sunday night regular season game in three years.

DIGITAL

NBC Sports’ streaming coverage of the 2018-19 NHL regular season delivered all-time records in live minutes (248.8 million) and Average Minute Audience (AMA) (10,700 viewers). The live minutes and AMA were up 54% and 36%, respectively, vs. last season.

The Chicago Blackhawks-Pittsburgh Penguins game on Jan. 6 ranks as the most streamed NHL regular-season game ever, with 96,700 unique devices, 5.5 million live minutes, and an AMA of 35,000 viewers.

The 2019 Stadium Series game was the most-streamed Stadium Series game on record, delivering 62,000 unique devices, 4.3 million live minutes, and an AMA of 22,400 viewers.

LOCAL

Pittsburgh led all local markets with a 1.30 household rating for games on NBC and NBCSN. It also led all markets for NBC games with a 3.55 rating and finished second behind Buffalo (1.08) for games on NBCSN (1.02).

Seven local and neighboring NHL markets set household ratings records for games on NBCSN this season: Baltimore (2.70), Buffalo (13.76), Las Vegas (7.23), Nashville (3.10), St. Louis (7.67), Tampa (4.07), Washington (3.75).

Following are the Top 10 markets this season:

NBC/NBCSN

NBC

NBCSN
1 Pittsburgh 1.30 1 Pittsburgh 3.55 1 Buffalo 1.08
2 Buffalo 1.18 2 St. Louis 2.28 2 Pittsburgh 1.02
3 Las Vegas 0.98 3 Buffalo 1.96 3 Las Vegas 0.93
4 St. Louis 0.87 4 Providence 1.94 4 St. Louis 0.69
5 Minneapolis 0.67 5 Minneapolis 1.60 5 Tampa 0.57
6 Tampa 0.63 6 Chicago 1.58 6 Minneapolis 0.56
7 Providence 0.61 7 Philadelphia 1.52 7 Providence 0.44
8 Chicago 0.50 8 Las Vegas 1.45 t8 Nashville 0.37
9 Nashville 0.48 9 Washington DC 1.43 t8 Chicago 0.37
t10 Boston 0.47 10 Nashville 1.38 10 Boston 0.36
t10 Washington 0.47

NOTE: TAD measures viewership of a program across all platforms, including television and digital.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS ONE-HOUR SPECIAL – “WIRED: STADIUM SERIES – PENGUINS VS. FLYERS” – TOMORROW AT 11 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

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Hour-long Special Features Game Audio From Total of 12 Mic’d Players, Coaches & Referees During Flyers Thrilling 4-3 OT Victory Over Penguins

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 4, 2019 – NBC Sports will take fans inside the sounds and passion of hockey with a one-hour special “Wired: Stadium Series – Penguins vs. Flyers” tomorrow at 11 p.m. ET on NBCSN, immediately following coverage of the Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators.

The program will utilize audio from a total of 12 players, coaches and referees from the Philadelphia Flyers’ thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. on Feb. 23 on NBC.

Viewers will have the chance to re-live the memorable Stadium Series matchup through audio recorded from four mic’d players apiece from the Flyers and Penguins, as well as Flyers head coach Scott Gordon, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, and two referees.

Click here for a clip from the special. Mic’d players include:

 

  • Pittsburgh Penguins – Sidney Crosby, Brian Dumoulin, Patric Hornqvist and Jake Guentzel
  • Philadelphia Flyers – Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, Scott Laughton and Travis Konecny

 

The Stadium Series game averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of nearly two million viewers, making it the most-watched NHL regular-season game in five years, excluding Winter Classics. Locally, Pittsburgh delivered a 16.9 local rating, while Philadelphia scored a 6.3 rating. The matchup was also the most-streamed Stadium Series game ever across NBC Sports digital platforms.

The “Wired – Stadium Series: Penguins vs. Flyers” hour-long special is the latest example of NBC Sports’ innovative NHL coverage during the 2018-19 season. NBC Sports delivered a first-of-its-kind digital-only presentation utilizing new puck and player tracking technology in real time at the NHL All-Star Game in January.

Earlier this year, NBC Sports and Nashville Predators star and entrepreneur P.K. Subban agreed to a first-of-its-kind content partnership. NBC Sports produced a one-hour variety program – “P.K. Subban’s All-Star Special” – hosted by Subban at All-Star Weekend on NBCSN, as well as an original digital series – “The P.K. Project” – that encompasses Subban’s personality away from the ice.

–NBC SPORTS–

ESPN+ Expands Weekly NHL Schedule Beginning This Month

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Beginning March 1, the NHL schedule on ESPN+ – which has included up to nine games per week throughout its inaugural full season – expands to offer up to 14 marquee games per week during the Battle for the Playoffs. Every matchup will have playoff implications for one or both teams.

The post ESPN+ Expands Weekly NHL Schedule Beginning This Month appeared first on ESPN MediaZone U.S..

PENGUINS-FLYERS 2019 STADIUM SERIES GAME ON NBC IS MOST-WATCHED NHL REGULAR-SEASON GAME IN FIVE YEARS, EXCLUDING WINTER CLASSICS

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Overtime Thriller Averaged Total Audience Delivery of Nearly 2 Million Viewers (1.965 Million)

Penguins-Flyers Viewership Up 76% Vs. 2018 NHL Stadium Series

Game Peaked at 2.653 Million Viewers in Overtime

Most-Streamed Stadium Series Game Ever Across NBC Sports Digital Platforms

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Score Record Local Ratings

STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 26, 2019 – Saturday night’s 2019 NHL Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers on NBC averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of nearly two million viewers, making it the most-watched NHL regular-season game in five years, excluding Winter Classics. The battle of Pennsylvania — which was won by the Flyers in overtime, 4-3, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia — was also the most-streamed Stadium Series game ever and set numerous local ratings records. Highlights include:

  • The game (8-11:10 p.m. ET) averaged a TAD of 1.965 million viewers, the most for a non-Winter Classic regular-season game in five years, since the 2014 Stadium Series game between the Penguins and Blackhawks (2.767 million).
  • The TAD was up 76% vs. the 2018 Stadium Series game between the Maple Leafs and Capitals (1.116 million).
  • Penguins-Flyers peaked at 2.653 million viewers during overtime from 11-11:10 p.m. ET.
  • The Average Minute Audience (AMA) for Penguins-Flyers across NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app was 22,400 viewers, making it the most-streamed Stadium Series game in history.
  • The game also generated a Stadium Series digital record 62,000 uniques and 4.3 million minutes.

Locally, both markets set regular-season records in their respective markets for NBC games, excluding Winter Classics and the regionalized coverage of the 2013 season opener. Pittsburgh delivered a 16.9 local rating, while Philadelphia scored a 6.3 rating. NBC was the No. 1 network in both markets during the game.

Penguins-Flyers delivered a TV-only 1.943 million viewers and 1.14 household rating on NBC.

–NBC SPORTS–

MIKE TIRICO TO CALL NHL PLAY-BY-PLAY FOR FIRST TIME IN 30-YEAR CAREER

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Tirico Adds NHL to Extensive List of Career Play-by-Play Assignments Including NFL, NBA, Golf, Tennis, College Football, and College Basketball

Tirico to Call Original Six Matchup Between Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, February 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 7, 2019 – For the first time in his career, Mike Tirico will call play-by-play for an NHL game, when the Detroit Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday Night Hockey, on Wednesday, February 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

During an illustrious broadcasting career spanning three decades, Tirico has served in lead play-by-play roles for coverage of the NFL, NBA, tennis, golf, college football, college basketball, and college lacrosse, but NBCSN’s Wednesday Night Hockey telecast will be his first NHL play-by-play assignment.

Tirico, who is synonymous with NBC Sports’ biggest events, is the host for NBC’s primetime Olympics coverage, as well as Football Night in America – the most-watched studio show in sports. He also hosts NBC Sports Group’s Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup coverage, marquee PGA TOUR events and The Open, and serves as the play-by-play voice for Notre Dame Football and select NFL games.

Since joining NBC Sports Group, Tirico has been a part of several NHL events, hosting NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2019 NHL All-Star Game, the 2019 NHL Winter Classic, as well as Games 1 and 4 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.

Tirico will be joined in the booth by U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Brian Boucher.

“I’m thrilled to be calling my first NHL game,” said Tirico. “Growing up in New York, and now living in Metro Detroit, I’ve always loved the sport of hockey as a fan, attending as many games as possible each season. So the chance to call a game is a bucket list item for me. Covering the Stanley Cup Final, Winter Classic, and NHL All-Star Game has given me the chance to work with our great NHL on NBC team, and I know I’m in good hands working with Edzo and Brian in Detroit.”

“Mike is one of the best play-by-play voices in the business, so after 30 years of calling every major sport on grass, turf, clay, and hardwood, we thought it was about time we got him above the ice,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer and President of Production, NBC Sports. “Mike has been a great linemate as host of our broadcasts of the Stanley Cup, Winter Classic and NHL All-Star Weekend, and we’re excited to have him stick handle our coverage in the booth of this Original Six match-up between two historic NHL rivals.”

“There is not much pre-game advice you can give a person as talented as Mike,” said Mike “Doc” Emrick, lead play-by-play commentator for NHL on NBC. “His passion for sports and his delivery of the action on the playing field are world-class. So much so, Mike has been a regular on broadcast row recently to watch the Red Wings and others play, even while his NFL and numerous other broadcasting commitments were ongoing. I’m looking forward to watching Mike call the game, and I’m confident the viewers at home will enjoy it.”

“Working at NBC has allowed me to continue to be teamed up with some of the best linemates in the business, and Mike is yet another All Star,” said Eddie Olczyk, lead game analyst for NHL on NBC. “I’ve enjoyed getting to work with Mike on our Triple Crown coverage, and was happy to hear he’s following my lead of working on the two greatest sports, hockey and horses.”

Listed below are some of the major sports and events Tirico has hosted or provided play-by-play coverage for during his 30-year broadcasting career with NBC Sports and ESPN.

 

Play-by-Play

  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NCAA Football
  • NCAA Basketball
  • PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour
  • Lacrosse

 

Host

  • Olympics
  • FIFA World Cup
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • Golf (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open)
  • Tennis (Wimbledon and U.S. Open)
  • Stanley Cup Final
  • Triple Crown horse racing
  • NASCAR
  • College Basketball

 

Tirico joined NBC Sports Group in 2016, and a year later was named NBC’s primetime Olympic host, with his first assignment coming at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. Tirico, who was named studio host for Football Night in America in August 2018, is in his 23rd season in which he has served as either an NFL primetime studio host or play-by-play voice. Click here for Tirico’s complete bio.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

2019 HONDA NHL ALL-STAR GAME TO AIR IN PRIMETIME THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 AT 8 P.M. ET ON NBC

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First Time in More Than 20 years NHL All-Star Game Will be Shown Live on Broadcast Television in Primetime

Fourth Straight Year NBC Sports Will Showcase 3-on-3 Event Live on Network Television

Coverage of 2019 NHL All-Star Weekend Begins this Friday, January 25 with SAP NHL All-Star Skills at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Mike Tirico to Host NBC Sports Group’s Coverage of NHL All-Star Game from San Jose

NBCSports.com and NBC Sports App to Provide Exclusive Second-Screen Experience Emphasizing New Puck and Player Tracking Technology

STAMFORD, Conn. – January 23, 2019 – NBC Sports Group will surround the 2019 NHL All-Star Weekend in San Jose, Calif., with comprehensive live coverage on NBC, NBCSN, and NBC Sports Digital, culminating with the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. NBC’s presentation will mark the first time in more than 20 years that the NHL All-Star Game will be shown live on broadcast television in primetime, and the fourth consecutive year NBC Sports has showcased the thrilling 3-on-3 tournament on network TV.

In addition to live linear coverage on NBC, NBC Sports Group will present a digital-only second-screen experience of the NHL All-Star Game on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app that will emphasize puck and player tracking data that will be presented in real time. Further details about NBC Sports Digitals’ All-Star Game player tracking coverage will be announced tomorrow.

Coverage of NHL All-Star Weekend begins Friday night, with the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills, from SAP Center, at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming platforms for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs – will provide streaming coverage of NHL All-Star Weekend.

Mike Tirico will host NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday night.

Six-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and Emmy Award-winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire will call the game on NBC.

Liam McHugh will anchor pre-game, intermission and post-game coverage on-site, alongside analysts and former players Mike Milbury and Keith Jones. In addition, Kathryn Tappen will host pre-game and post-game coverage from outside sets in San Jose, capturing the scene amongst the fans alongside analysts and former players Jeremy Roenick, Brian Boucher, and Anson Carter.

Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Roenick and Jones will provide commentary for the All-Star Skills on Friday night.

As part of NBC Sports Group’s coverage of All-Star Weekend, NBC Sports will also present P.K. Subban’s All-Star Special, a one-hour late night talk show hosted by three-time NHL All-Star and Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban. Produced in conjunction with Glassman Media and PeeK Productions, P.K. Subban’s All-Star Special will air Friday night at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, immediately following the conclusion of the SAP NHL All-Star Skills. The special will feature several vignettes, as Subban interviews some of the brightest NHL stars and entertainers, amidst a backdrop of fans in the heart of downtown San Jose, Calif.

2019 HONDA NHL ALL-STAR GAME – SATURDAY AT 8 P.M. ET ON NBC

The 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday night will feature the high-octane 3-on-3 format for the fourth consecutive season, pitting the four divisions (Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific) against each other in a tournament format. The Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions will face off first, followed by the Central vs. Pacific Division, with the winning teams meeting in a championship game to compete for 1 million dollars.

The captains for each division are Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) in the Metropolitan, Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) in the Atlantic, Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) in the Central, and Conor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) in the Pacific.

2019 SAP NHL ALL-STAR SKILLS – FRIDAY AT 9:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

NBC Sports’ comprehensive NHL All-Star Weekend coverage begins Friday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN with pre-game coverage on NHL Live, leading into the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills at 9:30 p.m. ET.

The 2019 All-Star Skills will feature six events that will showcase the NHL’s top talent. Each of the 44 All-Stars will compete in at least one of the six rounds of skill-based contests.

  • Bridgestone NHL Fastest Skater™
  • Enterprise NHL Premier Passer™
  • Ticketmaster NHL Save Streak™
  • Gatorade NHL Puck Control™
  • SAP NHL Hardest Shot™
  • Honda NHL Accuracy Shooting™

 

Following is NBC Sports’ NHL All-Star Weekend television schedule:

Date Coverage Network Time (ET)
Fri., Jan. 25 NHL Live NBCSN 8 p.m.
2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills NBCSN 9:30 p.m.
  P.K. Subban’s All-Star Special NBCSN 11:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 26 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game NBC 8 p.m.

 

-NBC SPORTS GROUP-

2018-19 NHL Season Puck Drops on ESPN+ October 4

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More Than 180 NHL Games Coming to ESPN+ This Season Exclusive Daily Highlights and Analysis Show In the Crease Returns to ESPN+ October 3 The puck drops on the NHL® season next week, and hockey fans can watch live games all season long on ESPN+, the premium direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s … Read More

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